Trends in tuberculosis - United States, 2013

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) incidence in the United States has been declining.
• However, disparities in TB rates persist across different populations and geographic areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize provisional TB surveillance data reported to the CDC in 2013.
• To identify disproportionately affected populations and geographic areas for targeted TB control.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of provisional tuberculosis surveillance data reported to the CDC in 2013.
• Calculation of incidence rates and proportions of cases by demographic and geographic factors.

Main Results:

• A total of 9,588 new TB cases were reported in 2013, with an incidence rate of 3.0 per 100,000 population.
• Foreign-born persons had a TB incidence rate 13 times higher than U.S.-born persons, accounting for 64.6% of cases.
• Non-Hispanic Asians had TB rates nearly 26 times higher than non-Hispanic whites.
• Four states (California, Texas, New York, Florida) accounted for 51.3% of all reported TB cases.

Conclusions:

• Despite overall declines, TB disproportionately affects foreign-born individuals and certain racial/ethnic groups.
• Geographic concentration of cases in specific states highlights the need for focused control strategies.
• Continued progress toward TB elimination requires targeted interventions in high-burden populations and areas.